ZapTracker

ZapTracker is a real-time, privacy-first analytics tool for Lightning tips (zaps) with full Nostr Wallet Connect support—track, manage, and visualize zap activity from your browser. ⚡

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⚡ ZapTracker

⚡ Inspiration

The growing popularity of Lightning Network zaps via Nostr inspired us to create a tool that brings visibility, insight, and control to this new way of tipping and supporting creators. We wanted something fast, privacy-focused, and user-friendly—without relying on external servers or centralized tracking.

🧠 What it does

Zap Dashboard (aka ZapTracker) is a real-time, privacy-first dashboard for tracking Lightning tips (zaps). It lets users:

  • Connect their Lightning wallet using Nostr Wallet Connect
  • Monitor balance, receive/send payments, and scan/generate QR codes
  • View detailed zap analytics (totals, averages, unique senders)
  • Explore real-time zap notifications and content performance insights
  • All data stays local—nothing is stored on our servers

🛠️ How we built it

We built Zap Dashboard using:

  • Vue 3 with the Composition API for component logic
  • Vite for fast dev/build times
  • Tailwind CSS for styling and layout
  • ECharts for analytics visualizations
  • Nostr Wallet Connect for Lightning wallet integration
  • LocalStorage to preserve user data securely and privately in the browser

We kept the project modular with reusable components and composables, allowing for future features like the planned PoS system, ZapChat or SubContent.

🧱 Challenges we ran into

  • Ensuring real-time zap tracking without a backend
  • Safely handling wallet connections while maintaining simplicity
  • Designing responsive charts that perform well on all devices
  • Building a meaningful user experience with no user data stored remotely

🏆 Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Delivered a full Lightning dashboard experience without a backend
  • Successfully integrated NWC and QR code flows
  • Designed a modular, extensible frontend with clean UX
  • Maintained strong privacy principles throughout the app

📚 What we learned

  • Mainstream usage of Lightning payments and Nostr protocols
  • Advanced Vue 3 patterns and modular state handling
  • UX challenges in privacy-first, real-time dashboards
  • The value of client-only apps when user data security is a priority
  • Handeling Nostr Relay Management

🔮 What's next for ZapTracker

  • Launching the Mini Point of Sale (PoS) mode for merchant payments
  • Introducing Content Performance Metrics for creators
  • Supporting multi-wallet views and tag-based filtering
  • Building a secure chat + zaps application based on Nostr identitys
  • Creating a Social Feed for zapped content based on the Nostr protocol

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